Kivas
Definition of Kivas: What is a Kiva? A Kiva is
a special sacred building, usually built
underground, that is used for spiritual
ceremonies, religious rituals and ceremonial
preparations by the Pueblo Native Americans and
strongly associated with the Kachina belief
system. Kivas consisted of circular chambers
built almost wholly underground with the
entrance through a hatchway on top. A ladder,
made with long poles pointing skyward, was used
to access the hatchway.
Prayer Sticks
were prepared in the Kivas and used for various
rituals and ceremonies, including the Kachinas,
for calling forth spirits in the evocation of a
prayer. Kivas were symbolic of the entry to the fourth
world, the present world, and the hatchway
symbolized the emergence from the other worlds, the home of the Kachina spirits.

Description of
KivasThe
architecture of kivas is believed to have
developed from the ancient pit houses that were
used as dwellings by the ancients. Kivas have
been built in many different sizes, the largest
kivas are called great kivas. Kivas were
constructed using wooden logs, adobe and stone.
Adobe is a natural building material made from
water, dirt and straw. The Ancient Pueblo
builders used stones to make the walls of each
room that were covered with a layer of smooth
adobe. Kivas are round structures consisting of:

Kivas
had an enclosing wall with a built-in bench

A packed
earth floor

A vent
in the wall to provide fresh air

Kivas
had a firepit at the center

Pillars
to support the roof

A flat
roof of kivas was supported by hewn logs

The roof
is covered by small branches, matting, and a layer
of earth

The
walls are decorated with murals of mythological
figures of symbolic significance

Kivas
are entered through a roof hatchway by means of a
ladder whose poles extend well above the flat
rooftop

A small
hole or indentation in the floor of kivas called a 'Sipapu'
symbolizing the portal through which their ancient
ancestors first emerged to enter the present world.

Kivas - Picture of a Sipapu

Kivas - Domain of the Men
The Kivas were the sacred domain of the men and
their secret rites. Historically, the men used
kivas as both sleeping quarters and meeting
rooms at various times of the year. The rites
were concerned with rain-making, warfare,
healing and hunting. Women were only allowed to
enter the Kivas to take food to the men or to
witness specific ceremonies. Modern kivas are
used by men's ceremonial associations.

Kivas - Symbolic Emergence to the Fourth World
Kivas play a significant role in the Pueblo
ceremonies, dances and rituals. The hatchway
represents 'sipapuni', the emergence place, that
symbolizes the portal through which their
ancient ancestors first emerged to enter the
present world, referred to as the Fourth world.
The Pueblo and Hopi cosmology beliefs are based
on the concept of two separate realms: the
present world and the past worlds. They are
divided into the eras of four worlds. The first
three worlds were each destroyed until the
people were led to the present world, the Fourth
World:

The first world was made by the Creator and the
deities Sotuknang and Spider Woman taught the people
to revere the creator, but the people forgot and the
first world was destroyed by fire and the people who
had remembered the Creator took refuge underground
with the Ant People

The Second World was created for their emergence
from the underworld, it was beautiful like the first
world but in the Second World the animals no longer
trusted the humans. The people once again forgot the
Creator and the world was frozen into solid ice and
destroyed.

The Third World was destroyed by floods

The people were guided by the deities and emerged
from the underworld to the Fourth World, earth

The other realm is the home of the Kachina spirits.

Native American Culture -
Kivas

Kivas - Pueblo rituals and customs

Culture and History of PuebloNative Indians

Interesting facts and info about Kivas for kids and schools

Information about Kivas

Native American Culture and beliefs for kids

Description of Kivas

Kivas -
Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
Spirit Stick. Discover the vast selection of
pictures which relate to the History and Culture of Native Americans. The pictures show the clothing,
War
Paint, weapons
and decorations of various Native Indian tribes that can
be used as a really useful
educational history resource for kids and children of all ages.
We have included pictures and videos to accompany the
main topic of this section - the Spirit or Kivas. The videos enable fast access to the
images, paintings and pictures together with information
and many historical facts. All of the articles
and pages can be accessed via the
Native Indian Tribes Index - a
great educational resource for kids.